Self-cleaning mixing head for producing a milk-based mixture

Abstract

A mixing head for producing heated milk in the form of a froth or water-milk mixture. The mixing head includes a steam feed, a milk inlet, a mixing area where the steam feed and milk inlet join and the steam and milk combine, an outlet nozzle for draining the resulting mixture from the mixing head, a rinsing medium supply, a milk supply and a transfer mechanism that provides relative movement between the milk inlet and the rinsing medium supply or the milk supply for selectively bringing the milk inlet into fluid connection with the rinsing medium supply or the milk supply, such that milk or a rinsing medium, as desired, can enter the mixing head at the milk inlet.

1. A mixing head for producing heated milk comprising a steam feed which feeds steam to the mixing head, a milk inlet, a mixing area where the steam feed and milk inlet join and wherein the steam from the steam feed and the milk from the milk inlet combine to form a mixture, an outlet nozzle for draining the mixture from the mixing head, a rinsing medium supply, a milk supply, and a mechanism for bringing the milk inlet into fluid connection with either the rinsing medium supply or the milk supply, such that milk or a rinsing medium can enter the mixing head at the milk inlet, and when the rinsing medium enters the mixing head it cleans any residual milk from the milk inlet. 
   
   
     2. The mixing head according to  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises a transfer member that provides relative movement between the milk inlet and the rinsing medium supply. 
   
   
     3. The mixing head according to  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises a transfer member that provides relative movement between the milk inlet and the milk supply. 
   
   
     4. The mixing head according to  claim 1 , designed such that, when the milk inlet is in fluid connection with the rinsing medium supply, any fluid leaving the outlet nozzle is transferred into a milk supply receptacle such that any residual milk can be removed from the mixing head. 
   
   
     5. The mixing head according to  claim 1 , wherein the milk inlet is adapted to be selectively provided in sealing engagement with a milk supply receptacle that includes the milk supply. 
   
   
     6. A mixing head for producing heated milk comprising a steam feed which feeds steam to the mixing head, a milk inlet, a mixing area where the steam feed and milk inlet join and wherein the steam from the steam feed and the milk from the milk inlet combine and to form an emulsified mixture, an outlet nozzle for draining the mixture from the mixing head, a milk supply receptacle, and a mechanism for selectively bringing the outlet nozzle into a position in which any fluid leaving the outlet nozzle is transferred actively or passively into the milk supply receptacle such that any residual milk can be removed from the mixing head. 
   
   
     7. The mixing head according to  claim 6 , wherein the milk inlet is adapted to be selectively provided in sealing engagement with a milk supply receptacle that includes the milk supply. 
   
   
     8. The mixing head according to  claim 6 , further comprising a transfer member that provides relative movement between the mixing head and a rinsing medium supply receptacle. 
   
   
     9. The mixing head according to  claim 6 , further comprising a transfer member that provides relative movement between the mixing head and a milk supply receptacle. 
   
   
     10. A device for producing heated milk comprising a housing and a mixing head comprising a steam feed which feeds steam to the mixing head, a milk inlet, a mixing area where the steam feed and milk inlet join and wherein the steam from the steam feed and the milk from the milk inlet combine and to form a mixture, an outlet nozzle for draining the mixture from the mixing head, and a transfer mechanism for moving the outlet nozzle to either a retracted position where the mixing head outlet nozzle are configured and positioned to be cleaned or rinsed, or a product delivery position in which the outlet nozzle protrudes from a front wall of the housing to deliver the mixture. 
   
   
     11. The device according to  claim 10 , wherein, in the retracted position the mixing head becomes flush with the front wall of the housing. 
   
   
     12. The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the mixing head is displaceable in a rotational movement along at least one guiding curve between the retracted and product delivery positions. 
   
   
     13. The device according to  claim 10 , further comprising a water tank, a pump and a heating unit for producing the steam supplied to the steam inlet of the mixing head. 
   
   
     14. The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the rinsing medium supply receptacle can be selectively put in fluid connection with a circuit connecting a secondary side of the pump with the heating unit. 
   
   
     15. A beverage production machine comprising a device according to  claim 10 . 
   
   
     16. A beverage production machine comprising a housing and the mixing head according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
     17. A beverage production machine comprising a housing and the mixing head according to  claim 6 . 
   
   
     18. A method for cleaning or rinsing of a mixing head according to  claim 1 , which comprises bringing the milk inlet of the mixing head into fluid contact with a rinsing medium supply, and having a rinsing medium from the supply enter the milk inlet and pass through the mixing head to remove milk residues before leaving the mixing head at the outlet nozzle. 
   
   
     19. The method of  claim 18 , which further comprises entering the rinsing medium in the milk inlet by effect of the liquid suction created as a result of passing the steam into the mixing head. 
   
   
     20. The method of  claim 18 , which further comprises moving the milk inlet to connect to the rinsing medium supply to the mixing head. 
   
   
     21. The method of  claim 20 , wherein milk inlet is moved via a mechanical transfer mechanism. 
   
   
     22. The method of  claim 21 , wherein the mechanical transfer mechanism is motorized and is operatively associated with a control unit that controls the movement of the mechanical transfer mechanism.